CORDYCEPS SINENSIS

CORDYCEPS SINENSIS.—夏草冬蟲 (Hsia-ts‘ao-tung-ch‘ung), 287. This fungus, described by the Chinese as a plant in summer and an insect in winter, grows upon the pupa of a kind of caterpillar as a parasite. It is said to be common in southern Thibet, but the Pêntsao says that it comes from Szechuan, and this is the source of origin given in the Customs lists. It is not so rare nor so much thought of as in the days of Duhalde, who praises it immoderately. It belongs to the class of drugs called 冷淡貨 (Leng-tan-huo), or things uncommon, but not in great demand. It is sold in bundles weighing two mace (116 grains Troy) each, or thereabouts. The bundles are three-quarters of an inch in diameter and from three to three-and-a-half inches in length. Each of the many pieces forming the bundles consists of two distinct portions: one, which is the larger and belonging to the insect, being more than an inch long and of a yellowish-brown color, and showing the rings, joints, and more or less of the characteristic structure of the grub; and the upper fungus portion, consisting of a spurred filament of a greyish-brown color, flexible, more or less twisted, and internally of a lighter shade. It is said by Duhalde to be found in the province of Hukuang, answering to Hupeh and Hunan of the present time, and it is entirely probable that it can be found in other parts of China. The Pêntsao compares its action to that of ginseng, and it is said to be worth four times its weight of silver. It is considered to be restorative and tonic, and is used in jaundice, phthisis, and in cases of injury of any serious nature. Taken with duck, its virtues are very much increased. If a drake is taken, prepared for cooking, the head split open and the cavities filled with this drug, while cooking the aura of the medicine will spread to the whole bird permeating every part, and thus increasing the potency of the medicament. It is said that one duck thus prepared will be quite the equivalent of an ounce of the best ginseng.